OXNARD, Calif. – The Guardian Cap worn by the Cowboys and other players around the NFL in the opening days of training camp is designed for safety as teams hit their way into football shape.
Leighton Vander Esch cites an unintended consequence.
“It’s awkward,’’ the Cowboys linebacker said. “I can feel the weight in it.
“I feel like it makes me a little bit more bobble-heady.’’
Biomechanical engineering experts who work with the league’s Players Association have collaborated with the company that manufactures the equipment. The cap, which differs from models used at the collegiate level, fits over the existing helmet and reduces the severity of impact up to 20 percent if both players involved in the collision are wearing the caps.
All offensive and defensive linemen, linebackers and tight ends are required to wear the Guardian Cap up until the second preseason game.
Most players are initially resistant to equipment changes. This is no different. There has been some grousing among the Dallas players.
But they recognize the benefit.
“I understand why they recommend us to wear them for the first two weeks of camp,’’ Vander Esch said. “I totally get the reason behind it. But I think you should give guys the option to wear them if they want or not to wear them.
“I mean, you can’t do enough to help the safety of the game this early in practice. It does take an adjustment once you start hitting because you haven’t been hitting since last season.
“When you start hitting, your head does have to have a little bit of an adjustment,’’ he continued. “You’re going to have contact on your facemask and the side of your helmet no matter what. I’m not saying you should run around out there and freaking hit with your head, but you’re going to have contact.
“I mean, it helps with that.’’
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